Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has expressed his commitment to the dreams of the founding fathers to utilize the abundant mineral resources of the state for its economic development.
The governor, in a broadcast to the people of the state to mark its creation of the state on October 1, 1996 and the 63rd Independence anniversary of Nigeria yesterday, noted that there are abundant reasons to say that the creation of Ekiti State was justified.
He said his administration is collaborating with appropriate federal government agencies that will invest in the exploration of the state’s God-given mineral resources to create wealth, increase the internally generated revenue and realize the shared prosperity agenda of the state.
While noting that Ekiti is building a formidable profile of a progressive and development-oriented state that is poised for inclusive prosperity for all, he expressed delight that 27 years after, the state has moved on progressively.
The governor congratulated all Ekiti people on the 27th anniversary of the state creation and also thanked those whose toil and sweats brought it about its realization saying “As we are thankful to God for how long we have gone as a people, we also need to reflect on the unity of the past that gave us the State and the need to do even far more to achieve more.”
He expressed satisfaction that Ekiti has excelled in many aspects of Human Development Indices and has become a front-liner in education, life expectancy, access to quality healthcare services, physical infrastructure development, access to water, peace, ease of doing business, gender equality, social inclusion, among others
Oyebanji appealed to organised labour to sheathe its sword and exhaust the avenue of dialogue to resolve issues around the planned indefinite strike action slated to commence on Tuesday in protest against the removal of subsidy by the administration of President Bola Tinubu which has caused hardship in the country.
He said, “On our part, we have undertaken some interventions to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal on our people. Apart from the direct food distribution and cash transfer to the most vulnerable, the government has also made buses available to staff and students, especially in the state capital, to ameliorate the cost of transportation. We therefore appeal to our local governments to replicate this in their respective local lovernment areas.
